Play dough!

Playdough is one of our favorite things. It is quick and easy to make, and the kids spend hours molding, cutting, and generally making a mess!

Now, not only is this time great for mom to get some things done, it helps the kids learn and grow as well!

This is the best recipe for playdough. Now, I might be biased, since this is what I grew up playing with, but I've tried other recipes too. This one's the best!

Playdough

1 cup Flour

1/2 cup Salt (yes, really)

1 teas. Cream of tartar

Mix these ingredients together in a medium sized pan.

In a measuring cup mix together:

1 cup water

1 TB Oil

Food Coloring (dye or Kool-aid!)

Mix wet ingredients in with the dry, and mix thoroughly.

Heat the mixture on medium, stirring until it becomes a dough.

Knead until smooth.

Play!

Muffin Tin Monday

By Bonnie

So I am taking some time off from baking.....and I am spending ALOT of time with my family!

Hence....

MUFFIN TIN MONDAY!

Here is the blog behind the muffin tin greatness: ( her image is on the right column!)

http://michellesjournalcorner.blogspot.com/

So the theme is Planes, Trains and Automobiles!

I had to make 2 "trays" up. Sadie didn't care for green so I found some pink muffin liners for hers. I made a marshmallow airplane with pecan wings, a graham cracker traffic light, teddy graham pit crew with cheerio tires, a cucumber railroad, a peanut butter mud hazard with celery flag and granola with sprinkles for the after race celebration :o)

What do I do with my kids?

This is a very common question in our house. I always wanted to be the mom with activities galore. A new project every day. And of course, with a perfectly clean house, well-dressed children, and plenty of time to relax. Hmmm… in what world?

My kids are 6, 41/2, and 3. The advantage to their closeness is that they usually play well together. There are times when I think I should be playing with them, but they are doing so well together…why interfere?

Here are some of the activities that we do, or need to do more of, in our house.

Kids learn best through Playing. It is their “job” to play! They learn interaction, social etiquette, and communication. They learn about their world and their place in it.

Play dough I do believe that Play dough is the best invention ever! It only takes about 10 minutes to make, and the kids play with it for HOURS! Not only is it a good “mommy needs to get stuff done” activity, but play dough is a great toy for building coordination, creativity, and learning. (Look for a great play dough recipe coming soon!)

Sorting There are a million ways to sort a million things! A fun game is to grab a bag of M&M’s or Skittles and some containers, and let the kids sort. They can sort by color and number. They can learn math. My next activity with my kids will involve skittles. I’ll post pics! Here’s my game plan.

McKenzie is 3. She will sort by color.

Michael is the 41/2 yr old. For him, I will put random numbers on a piece of paper, or in the bottom of a paper bowl, and have him put that many candies in.

Tanner is 6. He will work on his math, by setting up groupings, and working with a worksheet.

The really fun part is to see how quickly the candy is “Subtracted” into their mouths!

Music Music plays such an important role in our lives. Children love music. This is something that I need to improve in my house. When the kids are playing with their play dough, or sorting, soft music can play in the background! It can be classical; it can be a selection of fun kid songs. Music is proven to get your mind working, and developing. Dancing to the music helps physical development, as well as coordination. Letting them PLAY music is fun too! Have a craft day to make your own drums and maraca’s! Then have a parade or concert!

Cook together Kids in the kitchen can be a true adventure. Prepare for everything to take twice as long, and to be twice as messy! The benefits from this activity are enormous though. The kid’s excitement level is contagious, and will get all of you laughing. Math and science are found in the kitchen. Memories are made as the kitchen warms up, laughter and stories are shared, and something is created together.

Park day!

"Mom?" Whines the 3yr old. "I wanna go to the park!" She demands over and over.

So, after 30 minutes of redressing the boys (who like to go almost-commando), getting shoes on, and deciding who gets to ride which bikes, we are off!

Luckily we are within walking distance of a good park. The weather is nice today, with a breeze, so we make it there without any complaints.

The boys run off to play Pirates on the tall tower. I push McKenzie in the swing. It all seems nice and relaxing until... dun dun dun...McKenzie remembers that there is another park we can walk to!

"MOM! Let's go to other park" Let the whining/screaming/tantrum ensue.

Now, normally we would go to the other one. But the boys decide that they are done. So, we gather our rocks, leaves, flowers, and all other mother nature items that they decide belong in our house, and take off towards home...

With McKenzie throwing a tantrum the whole way home.

If Child Services shows up at my door today...you know why.

So..take a gander at the poll over to the right. What kind of Park Mom are you?
Do you welcome the time when all your kids are playing and read your favorite book?
Do you run and climb and slide with your kids?
Do you sit and only get up if they INSIST on going on the swing?
No wrong answers! I've been guilty of all of them!

Balloon Fun!

Michael, Tanner, McKenzie. My babies!

Balloon Fun!

We went to a parade float showing a few weeks ago. The kids got balloon animals. Tanner's popped upon leaving the venue.

I learned some balloon "artistry" when I was in high school, so I promised them that we would buy a kit and do it ourselves! Tanner reminded me about that yesterday, so we were off to the party store!

We purchased a bag of 100 balloons, a hand pump, and an instruction booklet. The total was around $16.00.

They played with the balloons for HOURS! My fingers were very sore by the end of the day!

How's that for cheap entertainment?